Inpatient Care

Claire and her daughter Colette

Claire was admitted to the Inpatient Unit on a number of occasions. Her daughter Colette recalls ‘I was very apprehensive when we got to the stage that we thought mum needed to come into the Hospice for a while. I had it in my head that the Hospice would be a sad or quiet place where everybody sat around just waiting. From the very minute that we brought mum in that was blown away completely. Everyone is so cheerful and caring…but not in a forced way; it is just so natural and relaxed. Mum said that she feels like she’s at home – and I feel like that too.’

Our new Inpatient Unit opened its doors to patients in November 2016. The Unit is equipped with nine single en-suite rooms and one three-bedded room for those who prefer to share, dedicated overnight accommodation for families and lots of space for visitors.

Our aim in specialist palliative care is to improve the quality of life for people living with advancing, life shortening illness who require specific treatment for difficult problems such as pain and symptom control, or require rehabilitation. Whilst the majority of our patients stay for a short time before returning home or to an alternative care environment, we do also provide end-of-life care for those who need it and benefit from being in a hospice environment at this stage of their life.

In order to deliver this care, we have a specialist team including consultants and doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, counsellors, a social worker, physiotherapist, chaplain, complementary therapist, housekeeping and kitchen staff.

Referral

Referral to our Inpatient Unit can be made by a Macmillan team member, your GP or consultant. If you or a family member believe you would benefit from care in our Inpatient Unit please ask to be referred by one of these professionals involved in your care or the care of your loved one.

Information for Visitors

There are no official visiting hours at the Hospice and family and friends are free to come and go as they please. Obviously there can be busy times for patients and nursing staff, especially in the morning or at meal times, but there is a visitors’ lounge for family and friends to pass the time. There is also a dedicated bedroom for one family to stay overnight if appropriate and a flexible second bedroom for larger numbers or a second family. Please discuss your accommodation needs with the nursing staff.

Take a look at our Inpatient Unit

Here are a few photos to show you the inside of our Inpatient Unit. If you would like to arrange a visit please contact us.